Continued focus on composite development

Airbus has announced that it is to maximize its use of the latest developed ‘thermoplastic’ carbon fiber reinforced plastic (CFRP) material. This, it says, reaffirms its continuing role as an innovation and environmental leader.

Thermoplastic CFRP holds several key advantages over the thermoset-type CFRP that is more commonly used across the air transport sector, including its 100% recyclability.

CFRP materials – both thermoplastic and thermoset – are created when thousands of carbon filament threads are bundled together before being combined with a matrix to form a composite material. A ply or layer is made to the specified size and orientation, and then more layers are added until the piece has the necessary properties to support the loads it will carry. The resulting material comprises approximately 60% fibers and 40% resin.